[Assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice on occupational blood exposure in caregiving facilities, in Morocco].
OBJECTIVE
This study had for aim to evaluate practices and knowledge of infectious hazards, to determine the prevalence of viral infections related to occupational blood exposure among health care workers, and to propose a preventive policy.


METHODS
This descriptive multicentric and transversal epidemiological survey was carried out from 2003 to 2004 in 10 Moroccan cities. Two thousand eight hundred and forty four persons were contacted and 2086 accepted to answer the questionnaire (73.3 %).


RESULTS
The mean age was 40.8+/-7.8 years and seniority 15.6+/-7.4 years. Blood was the most incriminated product (96.1%), followed by dirty linen and hospital waste. Instruments most often mentioned as dangerous were hollow needles (80.3%). The most feared infections were viral hepatitis (77.5%) and HIV (89.3%). Only 40.6% of the personnel were adequately vaccinated against hepatitis B. Post-vaccine serology was performed on only 1.8% of the vaccinated staff. During the last 12 months, 58.9% of the personnel underwent at least one occupational blood exposure 5.8% of which was reported. Universal precautions appeared poorly used as only 65.6% wore gloves for invasive acts and 61.5% correctly disinfected their hands. Re-sheathing used needles was frequent (51.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Infectious hazards in healthcare facilities are not sufficiently taken into account: the recent creation of occupational health services in hospital facilities should contribute to improve working conditions, make hepatitis B vaccination available and mandatory, and lead to more information and education on hazards related to occupational blood exposure for healthcare personnel.
Laraqui
O
O
Société marocaine de médecine du travail, 44, avenue Lalla-Yacout, Casablanca, Maroc. chlaraqui@menara.ma
Laraqui
S
S
Tripodi
D
D
Zahraoui
M
M
Caubet
A
A
Verger
C
C
Laraqui
C H
CH
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008506:Medical Waste / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016635:Universal Precautions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D008506:Medical Waste